French state corporatism has been dealt another blow by Alcatel NV’s decision to stop making facsimile machines in the next six months: the government had hoped to create a national industry manufacturing the things, and Alcatel machines – under its own name and sold OEM – have 27.8% of the French market, but prices and margins have slipped to the point where Alcatel reckons the game is no longer worth the candle – but its machines will still be manufactured in France, by Sagem SA and Hewlett-Packard Co.
